Standard Lemma guide

ephebophilia

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • rhymes with -ɪliə

1

noun

Meaning 1

A sexual attraction towards postpubescent adolescents.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: human-sciences, lifestyle, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, sciences, sexology, sexuality

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A sexual preference for adolescent boys.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated, uncountable

Examples

  • 1981 Brian Taylor, PhD Perspectives on Paedophilia page XIII Thus, paedophilia, denoting sexual interest in pre-pubertal children, can be distinguished from paederasty, indicating sexual interest in pre-pubertal boys alone. These two together could then be distinguished from ephebophilia, denoting sexual preference for post-pubertal and adolescent boys.
  • 2006 Looking at Ephebophilia through the Lens of Cleric Sexual Abuse from volume 13 issue 4 of "Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity"

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἔφηβος (éphēbos, “adolescent”) + φιλία (philía, “love, friendship”). By surface analysis, ephebe + -philia.